Cycle saddle and method of forming same

ABSTRACT

A CYCLE SADDLE IS DISCLOSED WHICH INCLUDES A FRAME AND A PLASTIC INTEGRALLY FORMED COVER MOUNTED ON THE FRAME. A FOAM CUSHION IS PROVIDED BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE COVER AND THE TOP OF THE FRAME. A BEADING IS PROVIDED AROUND THE LOWER EDGE OF THE COVER WHICH DEFINES AN UPWARDLY OPENING GROOVE IN WHICH IS RECEIVED A LOWER EDGE OF THE DEPENDING SKIRT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME THAT SEAL THE LOWER EDGE OF THE COVER WITH THE FRAME. ALSO IS DISCLOSED ADDITIONAL SECURING MEANS IN THE FORM OF LUGS INTEGRALLY FORMED ON THE COVER AND PROJECTING THROUGH APERTURES OR ELONGATED SLOTS IN THE FRAME WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED HEADS ON THE INNER ENDS OF THE LUGS TO HOLD THE COVER IN PLACE. A METHOD OF PRODUCING THE CYCLE SADDLE IS DISCLOSED WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF PROVIDING A FRAME WITH A HOLE AND A PLURALITY OF APERTURES OR ELONGATED SLOTS THERETHROUGH, PROVIDING A COVER PROVIDED WITH A DEPENDING SKIRT HAVING A PLURALITY OF PLASTIC LUGS AND HAVING BEADING AROUND THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF, PLACING THE COVER ON THE FRAME WITH THE LUGS EXTENDING THROUGH THE APERTURES OR SLOTS AND WITH THE BEADING GRIPPING THE LOWER EDGE OF THE SKIRT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME, HEATING THE ENDS OF THE LUGS TO PROVIDE HEADS TO HOLD THE COVER IN PLACE, PROVIDING A SPACE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE COVER AND THE FRAME, AND INJECTING COMPONENTS OF LIQUID MATERIAL THROUGH THE HOLE INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE COVER, WHICH COMPONENTS REACT AND FORM THE FOAM CUSHION. A MODIFIED CYCLE SADDLE IS ALSO DISCLOSED WHICH INCLUDES A SOMEWHAT SIMILAR FRAME AND A PLASTIC COVER WHICH IS FORMED BY INJECTION MOLDING. HOWEVER, THIS MOFIFIED CYCLE SADDLE HAS THE ADDITIONAL SECURING MEANS IN THE FORM OF A PLURALITY OF SPACED TABS PROJECTING INWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM THE SKIRT PORTION OF THE FRAME FOR ENGAGING THE INNER FLANGE OF THE   BEADING ADJACENT THE DISTAL EDGE THEREOF TO ANCHOR THE INNER FLANGE TO THE DEPENDING SKIRT OF THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE MODIFIED EMBODIMENT HAS THE CUSHION MEANS THEREOF BONDED BOTH TO THE COVER AND THE FRAME TO FORM A UNITARY SADDLE. A METHOD OF PRODUCING THE MODIFIED SADDLE IS DISCLOSED WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF PROVIDING A FRAME WITH A PLURALITY OF SPACED TABS PROJECTING INWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM THE SKIRT PORTION OF THE FRAME, PROVIDING A COVER HAVING A SHIRT WITH BEADING MEANS ON THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF INCLUDING AN INNER FLANGE TO PROVIDE AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING GROOVE, PLACING THE COVER ON THE FRAME WITH THE LOWER EDGE OF THE FRAME BEING RECEIVED IN THE GROOVE AND WITH THE TABS ADJACENT THE INNER FLANGE, AND WITH A SPACE BEING PROVIDED BETWEEN THE TOPS OF THE FRAME AND COVER, BENDING THE TABS DOWNWARDLY AGAINST SAID INNER FLANGE TO ANCHOR THE INNER FLANGE TO THE FRAME, AND INJECTING COMPONENTS OF LIQUID MATERIAL INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE COVER WHICH COMPONENTS REACT TO FORM A CUSHION AND AT THE SAME TIME THE CUSHION BECOMES BONDED TO THE COVER AND TO THE FRAME TO FORM A UNITARY SADDLE.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Maurice E. Rich. Jr.

Memphis. Tenn. [21 Appl. No. 766,665

[22] Filed [45] Patented {73] Assignee Sept. 12, 1968 June 28, 1971 Troxel Manufacturing Company Moscow, Tenn.

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 740,602, June 27, 1968, now abandoned.

[54] CYCLE SADDLE AND METHOD OF FORMING Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney-John R. Walker, 11]

ABSTRACT: A cycle saddle is disclosed which includes a frame and a plastic integrally formed cover mounted on the frame. A foam cushion is provided between the top of the cover and the top of the frame. A beading is provided around the lower edge of the cover which defines an upwardly opening groove in which is received a lower edge of the depending skirt portions of the frame that seal the lower edge of the cover with the frame. Also is disclosed additional securing means in the form of lugs integrally formed on the cover and projecting through apertures or elongated slots in the frame with integrally formed heads on the inner ends of the lugs to hold the cover in place A method of producing the cycle saddle is disclosed which includes the steps of providing a frame with a hole and a plurality of apertures or elongated slots therethrough; providing a cover provided with a depending skirt having a plurality of plastic lugs and having beading around the lower edge thereof; placing the cover on the frame with the lugs extending through the apertures or slots and with the beading gripping the lower edge of the skirt portions ofthe frame; heating the ends of the lugs to provide heads to hold the cover in place; providing a space between the top of the cover and the frame; and injecting components of liquid material through the hole into the space between the frame and the cover, which components react and form the foam cushion.

A modified cycle saddle is also disclosed which includes a somewhat similar frame and a plastic cover which is formed by injection molding. However, this modified cycle saddle has the additional securing means in the form of a plurality of spaced tabs projecting inwardly and downwardly from the skirt portion of the frame for engaging the inner flange of the beading adjacent the distal edge thereof to anchor the inner flange to the depending skirt ofthe frame. In addition, the modified embodiment has the cushion means thereof bonded both to the cover and the frame to form a unitary saddle. A method of producing the modified saddle is disclosed which includes the steps of providing a frame with a plurality of spaced tabs projecting inwardly and downwardly from the skirt portion of the frame; providing a cover having a skirt with beading means on the lower edge thereof including an inner flange to provide an upwardly extending groove; placing the cover on the frame with the lower edge of the frame being received in the groove and with the tabs adjacent the inner flange, and with a space being provided between the tops of the frame and cover; bending the tabs downwardly against said inner flange to anchor the inner flange to the frame; and injecting components of liquid material into the space between the frame and the cover which components react to form a cushion and at the same time the cushion becomes bonded to the cover and to the frame to form a unitary saddle.

PATENTED JUN28 |97| 3 588 171 sum 1 or 4 FIG. I II FIG. 3

INVENTOR. MAURICE E. RICH, JR.

PATENTEU JUN28 I971 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG. 7

FIG. 9

INVENTOR.

MAURICE E. mcu, JR. WE. 4/ ,ZE.

PATENTED JUN28 197i SHEET 3 [IF 4 FIG. ll

FIG. l2

FIG. l5

FIG. l4

FIG. l3

INVEN'I'OR. MAURICE. E. RICH, JR. BY W 6/ PATENTEU JUN28 I971 SHEET l 0F 4 FIG. l6

FIG. I8

FIG. l9

FIG. 20

MAURICE E. RICH, JR. fab/W1 CYCLE SADDLE AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-impart of my application, Ser. No. 740,602, filed June 27, 1968 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the INVENTION This invention relates to a cycle saddle of the type adapted to be used on bicycles, tricycles, or the like, and to the method of forming the saddle.

2. Description of the Prior Art The typical cycle saddle presently available, particularly that type known as a Bana" saddle, which is a trademark of the assignee of the present application, is made by assembling a number of components to provide the cover for the saddle. For example, a separate top is attached to heavier vinyl backed sides which are two separate components that have been heat-sealed together, and the cushion is provided which is attached to the undersurface of the top by heat-sealing. Another method of securing the various parts of the cover of the saddle is by sewing or stitching the components together to form a composite cover. The cover assembled as above described either by heat-sealing or stitching is then placed onto the frame and secured thereto as by rivets.

A cycle saddle having a plastic pad secured by means of projections extending through apertures in the saddle frame is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,146,024, which is owned by the assignee of the present application.

An example of a unitary plastic cover for a bicycle saddle may be obtained by referring to Mesinger U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,363, issued Feb. 12, 1963. In this patent, the top covering is assembled on the frame by insertion of the forward end of the frame into a nose portion of the top and then successively forcing the webs 28 and pockets 29 shown in this patent over the outer ends of the cantle 16. The top cover is held tightly to the frame by the enclosure of the nose portion and the rear corner portions of the frame by the web portions 27, 28 and pockets 29 and there are no additional fastenings. In other words, the top covering is resilient and is assembled by forcing onto the frame and held thereon by the web portions which extend across the nose and the rearward corner portions of the saddle cover beneath the portions of the frame. There is no sealing of the lower edges of the saddle cover with the frame.

Another example of a unitary plastic cover for a bicycle saddle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,969 owned by the Assignee of the present invention, which shows means for attaching the cover to the frame around the lower edges thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The cycle saddle of the present invention includes a unique plastic cover for the frame of the cycle saddle, which cover includes beading means around the lower edge of the depending skirt of the cover. The beading means is U-shaped in cross section and defines an upwardly opening groove which grips the lower edge of the depending skirt portions of the frame to sealingly secure the cover to the frame around the entire lower edge thereof. Additional securing means is provided in the cycle saddle of the present invention which comprises apertures or elongated slots provided in the frame and plastic lugs provided on the saddle cover which extend through the apertures or slots and are secured therein by heating the ends thereof to provide heads on the lugs. In the modified embodiment the additional securing means comprises a plurality of bendable spaced tabs projecting inwardly and downwardly from the skirt portion of the frame for engaging the inner flange of the cover adjacent the distal edge thereof to anchor the inner flange to the frame.

The top of the cover is spaced from the frame top and a hole is provided through the frame so that components of liquid materials are adapted to be introduced through the hole in one of the steps of the method of the present invention hereinafter described. The liquid components react together and provide a cushion between the top cover and the frame. The sealing of the lower edges of the cover and the frame, as heretofore described, prevents the liquid components, before reacting, from flowing out from between the cover and the frame. It has been found that the foam of the cushion, after reacting, bonds to the frame and to the cover to form a unitary saddle. Thus, there is no slipping or sliding of the cover relative to the cushion, and it remains permanently in place.

The cycle saddle of the present invention provides a saddle which eliminates the need for rivets, is easy to assemble, economical to manufacture, and is sturdy in construction. In addition, the beading protects. the cycle saddle, as for example, when the bicycle falls on a sidewalk, as is many times the case. Thus, the beading gives buffer protection to the saddle which might otherwise become damaged as is the case with riveted saddles in which the lower edge of the saddle is not protected.

The method of the present invention includes in general a method of producing the first above-mentioned cycle saddle and comprises the steps of providing the frame with a plurality of apertures or elongated slots therethrough; providing a cover provided with a depending skirt having beading means U-shaped in cross section around the lower edge thereof; placing said cover on said frame with the beading gripping the lower edge of the skirt portions of the frame to seal the frame and cover; and providing means in the form of lugs on the cover extending through the apertures or slots in the frame to secure the cover in place. If desired, the ends of the lugs are heated to provide heads on the ends of the lugs. In carrying out the method of the present invention and the resulting product thereof, if desired, the cover and frame may be the only two parts. However, if desired, cushion means such as a prefabricated piece of foam may be inserted between the frame and cover during assembly thereof. On the other hand, a hole may be provided in the frame and the frame and cover first assembled as above described. Then, components of liquid material may be injected through the hole and which components react together to provide a cushion.

In addition, a modified method of the present invention is provided for producing the modified heretofore-mentioned cycle saddle and comprises the steps of providing a frame with a plurality of spaced tabs projecting inwardly and downwardly from the skirt portion of the frame; providing a cover having a skirt with a beading means on the lower edge thereof including an inner flange to provide an upwardly extending groove; placing the cover on the frame with the lower edge of the frame being received in the groove and with the tabs adjacent the inner flange, and with a space being provided between the tops of the frame and cover; bending the tabs downwardly against said inner flange to anchor the inner flange to the frame; and injecting components of liquid material into the space between the frame and the cover which components react to form a cushion and at the same time the cushion becomes bonded to the cover and the frame to form a unitary saddle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a sectional view taken as on the line 1-1 of FIG. 2 and as on a vertical plane along the longitudinal centerline of the cycle saddle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cycle saddle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken as on the line Ill-III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of that shown in FIG. 1 showing one of the lugs extending through a slot and before the end of the lug has been heated to provide the head.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 after the lug has been heated and the head has been formed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover of the present invention, with the cover being turned upsidedown from the normal inhuse position on a bicycle.

FIGS. 7-10 show various steps in carrying out the method of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken as on the line Xl-Xl of FIG. 12 and as on a vertical plane along the longitudinal centerline of the modified cycle saddle of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the modified cycle saddle.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken as on the line XIIIXIII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of that shown in FIG. 13 showing one of the tabs before being bent.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 after the tab has been bent to anchor the inner flange of the saddle cover to the skirt of the frame.

FIGS. 162l1 show various steps in carrying out the method of the modified form of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The cycle saddle 11 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1- comprises in general a frame 13, preferably formed of a single piece ofsheet metal by cutting and stamping operations, and a unitary cover 15, formed of plastic, preferably vinyl, in an injection mold. The top 17 of frame 13 is of any desired shape as viewed from above depending upon the type of saddle and is provided with integrally formed downwardly bent skirt portions 19 terminating in a continuous lower edge 21. Skirt portion 19 is provided with a plurality of apertures or slots 23 spaced therearound and spaced upwardly or inwardly from lower edge 21'. Slots 23 are preferably elongated fore and aft of frame 13,.that is, in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame 13. It should be pointed out apertures or slots 23 may be of other shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Cover is formed by injection molding in the shape as seen in FIG. 6, although other shapes may be provided depending upon the particular style or type of cycle saddle without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Cover 15 includes a top 25 similar in shape to top 17 of frame 13 and a skirt 27 is integrally formed with top 25 and depends therefrom around the outer edges of the top. The skirt 27 conforms in shape generally to the skirt portions I9 of frame 13 although skirt 27 is preferably somewhat longer than skirt portions 19 so that when the frame 13 and cover 15 are in assembled relationship, there is a space between tops 17 and 25 as at 29 for a purpose later to be described. In addition, cover 15 includes beading 31 integrally provided around the lower edge of skirt 27. Beading 31 is U-shaped in cross section and includes an inner flange 33, an outer flange 35, and a bight portion 37 integrally connecting flanges 33 and 35 at the lower ends thereof. Outer flange 35 forms an extension of skirt 27 and is integrally formed with the lower part of the skirt. Flanges 33, 35 and bight 37 form an upwardly extending groove 39 extending around the lower edge of skirt 27 and adapted to grippingly and sealingly receive lower edge 21 of frame 13 to seal off the lower edges of the frame and cover substantially around the entire length of the peripheries thereof. Inner flange 33 is preferably tapered as at 41 to its termination in a line 43 at the upper end thereof.

A plurality of plastic lugs 45, which are so arranged and placed that they are adapted to extend through apertures or slots 23 in frame 17, are preferably integrally formed on the inner side 47 of skirt 27 and of such a length that when placed through slots 23, they will extend therebeyond for a distance, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition, the length of each of the lugs 45 is such that the lugs are shorter than the slots 23, so that when the lugs are placed through the slots, there is preferably a space left between the ends of the lugs and the ends of the slots, as shown as at 49, 49" in FIG. 4.

In the assembly of cover 15 with frame 13 the cover is preferably started from one end of the frame, as for example,

as shown in FIG. 7 and then worked forwardly until the entire cover is in place. In other words, the lugs 45 at one end of the cover are placed in the corresponding slots 23 at that end and with the beading 31 also placed over the lower edge 21 at that end. Then the person doing the assembly will progressively work the beading 31 over the edge 21 forwardly or to the right, as viewed in FIG. 7, and successively place the lugs 45 into the apertures or slots 23 as they come into alignment.

It will be understood that there will be some relative longitudinal movement of the cover 15 relative to the frame 13 during the placing of the cover on the frame as the cover is worked forwardly. This relative longitudinal movement is possible due to the spaces 49' and 49". FIG. 8 shows the completion of this step after the cover 15 has been placed onto the frame 13.

The next step in the method of assembly of cycle saddle 11 is shown in FIG. 9, wherein it will be seen heads 51 are respectively provided on lugs 45 by heating the inner ends of the lugs with a hot iron 53 or the like to melt the plastic. The iron 53 is urged against the ends of the lugs to flatten the ends and establish the heads 51. After the plastic has been allowed to cool, it will be understood that heads 51 firmly hold the cover 15 in place so that it cannot be accidentally removed. However, in certain instances it may be desirable to omit the forming of heads 51 on lugs 45 and rely on the engagement of the lugs 45 with the apertures or slots 23 to serve as additional securing means. Further, in certain instances, it may be desirable to omit the lugs 15 and slots 23 and rely on the holding means of the beading 31 gripping the lower edge 21 to hold the cover 15 in place.

If there are only two components to the cycle saddle 11, that is, a cover and a frame, then the above described steps will complete the assembly of the cycle saddle, in which case it will be understood that the top 25 will fit downwardly against the top 17. However, if a cushion 55 is to be provided, the preferable method of providing this cushion in accordance with the present invention is to mold the cover 15 with the skirt 27 thereof long enough to provide the space 29 between top 17 of frame 13 and top 25 of cover 15 and to provide the top 17 with a hole 57 therethrough which is preferably at the highest point thereof when the frame 13 is turned upsidedown as in FIG. 10. Then, after performing the steps heretofore described relative to the assembly of cover 15 on frame 13, the following additional steps are carried out: A liquid material is introduced through hole 57 into the space 29 by suitable means, as by a nozzle 59. The liquid material is composed of two components, a resin and a catalyst, which are mixed together as a liquid and which set up a chemical reaction to form the foam cushion 55. The mixing of these two components to form form is well known to those skilled in the art. It now becomes apparent why the beading 31 is of particular importance when this method of using liquid material is utilized since the sealing provided by beading 31 will prevent any of the liquid from spilling out from between the edges of the frame 13 and cover 15. It will be understood that when the two components are mixed, the liquid will flow into the space 29, and will force the air out from the space through the hole 57 and will expand until substantially the entire space 29 is filled. Any excess of the liquid components which might flow out through hole 57 may be wiped off. Also, it will be understood that a retaining form 61 is preferably provided which has a cavity 63 shaped to conform to the outside of cover 15 so that the shape of the cover is retained during the introduction of the liquid.

A modified form of carrying out the method of the present invention is as follows: In place of providing the liquid components through the hole 57, if desired, a piece of foam cushion already formed may be cut out and placed between frame 13 and cover 15 before the cover is secured to the frame.

The modified saddle 65 shown in FIGS. 11-20 comprises in general a frame 67, preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal by cutting and stamping operations, a unitary cover 69, formed of plastic, preferably vinyl, by injection molding, and cushion means 71 bonded to the inner surface 73 of a major part of cover 69 and to the inner surface 75 ofa major part of frame 67. The top 77 of frame 67 is of any desired shape as viewed from above, depending upon the type of saddle and is provided with integrally formed downwardly bent skirt portions 79 terminating in a continuous lower edge 81.

A plurality of bendable tabs 83 project inwardly and downwardly from skirt portion 79. The tabs 83 are spaced apart and are preferably located adjacent the lower edge 81 of frame 67 but spaced upwardly therefrom by substantially the same distance for a purpose later to be described. The tabs 83 are preferably integrally attached to frame 67 and are preferably struck inwardly from the metal of the skirt portion 79, by well known means, to leave the apertures 85 in the skirt portion 79. There are preferably four tabs 83, a pair of which are preferably located in an intermediate position substantially midway between the ends of the frame 67 and on opposite sides of the frame and another pair located between the first-mentioned pair and the forward end of the saddle, as best seen in FIG. 12, although it will be understood that more or less in number may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Cover 69 is formed by injection molding in the shape as best seen in FlG. 16, although other shapes may be provided depending upon the particular style or type of cycle saddle. Cover 69 includes a top 87 similar in shape to top 77 of frame 67 and a skirt 89 is integrally formed with top 87 and depends therefrom around the outer edges of the top. The skirt 89 conforms in shape generally to the skirt portions 79 of frame 67 although skirt 89 is preferably longer than skirt portions 79 so that when the frame 67 and cover 69 are in assembled relationship, there is a space between the tops 77 and 87 as at 91 for a purpose later to be described. in addition, cover 69 includes beading 93 integrally provided around the lower edge of skirt 89. Beading 93 is U-shaped in cross section and includes an inner flange 95, an outer flange 97, and a bight portion 99 integrally connecting flanges 95 and 99 at the lower edges thereof. Outer flange 97 forms an extension of skirt 89 and is integrally formed with the lower part of the skirt. Flanges 95, 97 and bight 99 form an upwardly extending groove 191 extending around the lower edge of skirt 89 and adapted to grippingly and sealingly receive lower edge 81 of frame 67 to seal off the lower edges of the frame and cover substantially around the entire length of the peripheries thereof. lnner flange 95 extends upwardly for a distance substantially equal to the distance of tabs 83 from lower edge 81 and the inner flange terminates in a distal edge 103 so that the distal edge will be adjacent and beneath the proximal end 105 of each of the tabs 83 when the saddle is in an assembled relationship.

in the assembly of cover 69 with frame 67 the cover is placed over the frame with the beading 93 placed over the lower edge 81 and with the distal edge 1613 of inner flange 95 extending underneath tabs 83 as best seen in FIG. 14 and in dotted lines in FIG. 13. it will be understood that the tabs 83 will initially be in this disposition.

The next step in the method of assembly of cycle saddle 65 is to bend the tabs 83, by some suitable means as a clamp or the hammer 167 shown in FlG. 19, downwardly against the inner flange 95 to anchor the inner flange to skirt portions 79, as best seen in FIGS. 13 and 15. if desired, eyelets 109 may be provided through apertures previously formed in the skirt portion 79 and skirt 89 adjacent the rearward portion of the frame 67 and cover 69, to provide additional securing means.

Cushion means 71 is preferably provided through hole 111 corresponding to hole 57 in the previously described primary embodiment. Thus, a liquid material is introduced through hole 111 into the space 91 by suitable means, as by a nozzle 113. The liquid material is composed of two components, a resin and a catalyst, which are mixed together as a liquid and which set up a chemical reaction to form the foam cushion means 71. it will be understood that when the two components are mixed, the liquid will flow into the space 91, and will force the air out from the space through the hole 111 and will expand until substantially the entire space 91 is filled. Any excess of the liquid components which might flow out through hole 111 may be wiped off. Also, it will be understood that a retaining form 115 is preferably provided which has a cavity 117 shaped to conform to the outside of cover 69 so that the shape of the cover is retained during the introduction of the liquid. It has been found that the cushion means 71 formed in the above-described manner is securely bonded to the cover and frame so that there is no slippage of the cover relative to the frame and a unitary saddle 65 is provided.

I claim:

1. A cycle saddle comprising a frame having a top and depending skirt portions terminating in a lower edge; a plastic cover including a top, a depending skirt, and beading means; said beading means being U-shaped in cross section including an inner flange, an outer flange and a bight portion; said outer flange being integral with the lower part of said skirt of said cover and said inner flange terminating in a distal edge; said inner flange, said outer flange and said bight portion forming an upwardly extending groove around the lower edge of said skirt of said cover; and said cover being mounted over said frame with said lower edge of said frame being unsecuredly received in said groove to grippingly hold and seal said skirt of said cover to said depending skirt portions of said frame along the lower edges thereof; and additional securing means coacting between said skirt of said cover and said skirt portions of said frame.

2. A cycle saddle comprising a frame having a top and depending skirt portions terminating in a lower edge; a plastic cover including a top, a depending skirt, and beading means; said beading means being U-shaped in cross section and including an inner flange, an outer flange and a bight portion; said outer flange being integral with the lower part of said skirt of said cover and said inner flange terminating in a distal edge; said inner flange, said outer flange and said bight portion forming an upwardly extending groove around the lower edge of said skirt of said cover; and said cover being mounted over said frame with said lower edge of said frame being received in said groove to grippingly hold and seal said skirt of said cover to said depending skirt portions of said frame along the lower edges thereof; and additional securing means coacting between said skirt of said cover and said skirt portions of said frame; said securing means including structure defining apertures in said depending skirt portions of said frame, plastic lugs integrally secured to said cover and respectively extending through said apertures, and heads integrally provided on said lugs to hold said lugs in place.

3. The cycle saddle of claim 2 in which said apertures are elongated and in which said lugs are elongated but less than the length of said apertures.

4. The cycle saddle ofclaim 1 in which said top of said cover is spaced from said top of said frame and in which foam material is provided in the space between said cover and said frame.

5. A cycle saddle comprising a frame having a top and depending skirt portions terminating in a lower edge; a plastic cover including a top, a depending skirt, and heading means; said beading means being U-shaped in cross section and including an inner flange, an outer flange and a bight portion; said outer flange being integral with the lower part of said skirt of said cover and said inner flange terminating in a distal edge; said inner flange, said outer flange and said bight portion forming an upwardly extending groove around the lower edge of said skirt of said cover; and said cover being mounted over said frame with said lower edge of said frame being received in said groove to hold and seal said skirt of said cover to said depending skirt portions of said frame along the lower edges thereof; and additional securing means coacting between said skirt of said cover and said skirt portions of said frame; said additional securing means comprising a plurality of bendable spaced tab means projecting inwardly and downwardly from said skirt portions of said frame for engaging said inner flange of said beading means adjacent said distal edge thereof to anchor said inner flange to said depending skirt portions of said frame.

6. The cycle saddle as defined in claim 1 which includes cushion means bonded to said cover and said frame to form a unitary saddle.

7. A cycle saddle comprising a frame having a top and depending skirt portions terminating in a lower edge; a plastic cover including a top, a depending skirt, and beading means; said beading means being U-shaped in cross section and including an inner flange, an outer flange and a bight portion;

said outer flange being integral with the lower part of said skirt of said cover and said inner flange terminating in a distal edge; said inner flange, said outer flange and said bight portion forming an upwardly extending groove around the lower edge of said skirt of said cover; said cover being mounted over said frame with said lower edge of said frame being unsecuredly received in said groove to grippingly hold and seal said skirt of said'cover to said depending skirt portions of said frame along the lower edges thereof with a space between said top of said cover and said top of said frame; and foam cushion means in said space bonded to said frame and said cover to form a unitary saddle. 

